MANILA (UPDATE) — Officials of the controversial National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Wednesday met with a United Nations (UN) expert, who is in the Philippines for a two-week visit to look into the freedom of opinion and expression in the country.

The NTF-ELCAC, together with the Anti-Terrorism Council, presented its accomplishments, challenges and strategies for the future to UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan.

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“During the press conference, most of the time, she was just absorbing the presentations that we prepared... We briefed her about the mandate of the organization and what it has done for the past five years,” NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said during the task force’s virtual press briefing on Thursday.

Citing time constraints, Khan expressed a desire for further clarification in an additional meeting. One of the concerns raised by Khan was the issue on red-tagging, according to Torres.

“For instance, sa NTF-ELCAC ang concern ay she would like to get further information on the red-tagging issue because alam naman nating lahat, even abroad, NTF-ELCAC is being equated unfairly to red-tagging. She would like to hear more from us kung ano ang ginagawa natin to prevent such things from happening,” he noted.

“We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to address any outstanding issues and reinforce the collaborative dialogue that has defined the visit,” he added.

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But the official clarified that the government has "no policy on red-tagging."

"It is a term that was created by the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines–New People's Army-National Democratic Front) to demonize the efforts of the government in exposing the duplicity of the CPP-NPA-NDF... We are exposing the truth about certain organizations and individuals, ang usual reaction ay you will be vilified by the community because you are a ‘red-tagger’. Nagkakaroon ng negative impression with what you are doing,” Torres claimed.

According to Torres, Khan’s visit is a testament to the Philippines’ “commitment to transparency, open dialogue, and protection of civic space in our nation.”

“This visit offers an exceptional opportunity for the international community to gain a nuanced understanding of the policies that govern our nation. It is a chance for us to underscore our commitment to fostering a climate of openness and transparency,” Torres said.

“In our interactions, UNSR Ms. Khan highlighted the need for a delicate balance in addressing challenges while considering broader implications for societal and individual interests,” he continued.

Torres said the NTF-ELCAC is “eagerly awaiting” the UN expert’s observations and recommendations for the task force’s programs.

“I would like to believe all these things would be shared by the UN rapporteur during her press conference on February 2. In the meantime, she’s still reserving ang comments niya sa atin,” he said.

During the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, previous officials of the NTF-ELCAC were accused of red-tagging activists, journalists and critics of the government.

Another UN rapporteur, Ian Fry, recommended in November the abolition of the NTF-ELCAC as it is allegedly operating with impunity.

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Fry said a full and independent probe is needed to look into the past operations of the anti-communist task force.

OTHER CONCERNS

Meanwhile, the Presidential Human Rights Committee at the Department of Justice (DOJ) also said that Khan inquired about the nuances of the Philippine criminal justice system during a discussion with them.

"Mostly ang tanong niya dyan paano nagfa-function ang ating criminal justice system, may mga clarification siyang nilinaw diyan at yun naman ay maayos nating nasagot particularly from the level of prosecution up to the level of the court," said Usec. Paul Gutierrez from the Philippine Taskforce on Media Security (PTFoMS).

Khan also inquired about the fate of cases that do not proceed to court.

"It was explained to her na 'di nagtatapos doon. Komo hindi umakyat ang kaso sa korte at nasa lebel ng piskal ay hindi po natapos ang imbestigasyon dun o ang pagbigay ng hustisya sa sa ating mga kapatid na napasalang ito ay ibabalik sa imbestigador," he said.

Gutierrez mentioned that they discussed cases involving journalists killed during the Marcos presidency, including Renato Blanco, Percy Lapid, Cris Bundukin, Juan Jumalon, and Federico Gempesaw.

It was also noted that Khan is scheduled to meet with Tacloban-based journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio on Saturday.

Cumpio was arrested in 2020 allegedly over trumped up charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez assured that Cumpio's case is being handled by a court, respecting the independence of the judicial branch.

"Ang kasong iyon ay nasa poder na ng ating court system at 'yan ay independently at separate co-equal branch," Vasquez said.

"Of the four, three [of Cumpio's] cases are in already in court. Ang ibig sabihin niyan tumatakbo ang ating hustisya at lahat ng nagkakasala ay nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon na sagutin," he added.

While the international average for prosecution is 10 percent, the Philippines has seen over 50 percent of cases prosecuted from 1986 to 2024, said PTFoMS chief of staff Hue Jyro Go.

Usec. Severo Catura, executive director of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, meanwhile underscored the importance of constructive discussions and recognition of the state's commitment to human rights.

"We wish to impart that the Philippines has a very clear advocacy framework na ang human rights ang pagtugon ng estado sa obligasyon sa freedom of expression," he said.

—With reports from Izzy Lee, ABS-CBN News

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